When I swore an oath to protect and defend the United States in 1982, I had no idea how radically different my perspectives would change and how much my life would change, too. After dropping out of high school and several years of wandering through life without a goal, there came that moment when I asked myself, "What am I doing with the rest of my life?" One day, I knew I had to change my life. I decided to enlist in the Army.

Michael enlisted in 1982 and has never regretted making that decision. The Army gave him a broader view of the world, taking him to places he would never have had the opportunity to visit in civilian life. “I developed a deep appreciation for the men and women who sacrificed throughout our nation’s history in order to protect America’s interests and to protect the notion of a free society,” said Michael.

There are many challenges you will face in life, but with hard work and the proper mindset, you can successfully conquer many of them. Michael believes that perseverance is a life skill he could not live without. "My time in the military drove this point home on almost a daily basis," he observed.

In 2008, Michael came to WellLife Network, formerly Pederson-Krag, to apply for a position in our Long Island facility. He immediately showed empathy for the consumers training there, knowing from experience the struggles they were facing in "finding themselves" in life.

Today, Michael works at our Huntington facility in the maintenance department and uses the skills he acquired in the Army. He relates well to people, motivates and leads, and maintains the flexibility needed to adapt to the challenges we all face in the workplace. He feels WellLife's mission is all about helping people and that it is a place of second chances and opportunity. He knows well the difference that can make in a person’s life. We couldn’t agree more!